The Ultimate KTM RC8 launch film - Jezza + Ascari = Awesome!
THE Jeremy McWilliams rode the new RC8 1190 for us at Ascari. Not only is that very special track stunning to ride, it's absolutely stunning to look at through the RC8's cockpit! Especially when former MotoGP ace Jeremy McWilliams is the rider... No one went faster around Ascari that day so please enjoy the Ultimate KTM RC8 1190 launch video with the worlds fastest test rider! It is with the greatest confidence we say that this is the best film you'll ever see from that historic KTM launch. TS
Exclusive: Jeremy McWilliams rates the KTM RC8 1190 on film!
Watch the ex-MotoGP hero from Belfast rate the 2008 KTM RC8 1190 from the Ascari circuit in Spain. Jezza analyses the RC8. Watch what he had to say below. TS
Updated: KTM RC8 1190 launch - Walk around and onboard teaser!
Jeremy McWilliams and I have now been in Ronda, Spain for the first test of the new KTM RC8 1190 on the Ascari circuit and on the local roads. This is the walk around and first onboard teaser featuring Jeremy McWilliams at the legendary Ascari circuit in the South of Spain. The RC8 is good, very good... Tor Sagen
Jeremy McWilliams and I have now been in Ronda, Spain for the first test of the new KTM RC8 1190 on the Ascari circuit and on the local roads. This is the first film from the hotel. Next we will film the bike from all angles, run the engine, do onboard filming from Ascari and the roads and much more! Watch this space for the next more thorough update. Tor Sagen
The time has come, KTM's RC8 1190 faces world press!
The build up to the launch of KTM's unproven new superbike project has been unusually long. What started out as a 990cc concept bike have turned into a 1190 real world superbike. Jeremy McWilliams and I ride it exclusively at KTM's international launch in Spain on Monday morning. I have had to pull every string possible to ensure we are both at the right place at the right time. The launch starts out with a half day track session on the famous Ascari circuit before being followed by a road ride. I shall do the first pass on cold tyres at Ascari so that I can compare with the road ride. Then it's all up to McWilliams to get under the skin of the new super twin from KTM. I will make sure there's a onboard camera on the bike as often as possible and get you the first impressions as soon as possible. We guarantee you that we will provide THE test of this exciting new motorcycle. McWilliams broke records on the 2008 Ducati 1098R a month ago. I am dead excited to see what he can do on the RC8 1190 on Monday. Watch this space! Tor Sagen
Now that we have had the opportunity to test both the 2008 Buell 1125R (Laguna Seca) and 2008 Ducati 1098R (Jerez) there are two super twins left. We are talking about the 2008 KTM RC8 1190 (Ascari) and the 2008 Bimota DB7 1098 (Misano). The wait for the RC8 is very short now and we will ride it both on track and road at the end of this month. For the Bimota DB7 the wait is a little bit longer. In May we will get to test the first production version of the DB7. Currently the only running prototype have been disassembled for production purposes. As with all Bimota's, the DB7 will only get a limited launch. And we'll be there. TS
NEC 2007: The babes are out, Charley Boorman interviewed, 250 pictures!
It's all out there now, the news from KTM, BMW, Ducati, CCM, Royal Enfield, Megelli, Triumph, Hyosung, Benelli and Vectrix. The 990 Supermoto, The Woodsman, CMX, Gorgeous Triumph show specials, 08 BMW's, Charley Boorman and a lot of babes! See it all here!
You've got to love those mobile phones! Here are exclusive images of the first pre-production KTM RC8 1190 superbike on road-plates with new mirrors/blinkers and all! the fuel tank looks a little bit bigger with some new lines, a new top-windscreen and some very special looking led-blinkers. The test bike pictured even features footpegs for the pillion and what looks to be a final design swinging arm. A new and big LCD digital instrument panel can be spotted from the rear of the bike. Two clamps close together can be seen at the top of the fork stanctions and something that looks like a new steering damper, possibly a digital one similar to the solution on Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. other than this the RC8 looks true to the concept bike. Tor Sagen
Scoop: Every 2008 & 2009 KTM new roadbike exposed!
Note: KTM have seen this list and claimed that some is true and others pure nonsense. However, KTM are very eager at finding the source...
KTM 2008/09:
SMR 450/250
Supermoto 990-990 SM. Eicma, Milan
Hard Enduro 690-690 Enduro-confirmed. Paris
Rally 690-690 Adventure-half-confirmed. Paris
Supermoto 690-690 SM-launched, but perhaps more variants, a more sporty one following the 690 Hard Enduro. Paris
Duke 690-690 Duke III-confirmed, but only as a Duke II replacement, the name Duke III is a working name. Paris
Superbike RC8 1190-RC8 1190-Confirmed as a 1150 to be launched at the Milan EICMA show this autumn
CG's: Luc1 & Robert O'Brien
KTM official pix:
Our pix:
2008/09: Very unconfirmed!
Superbike 1190 RC8 R-RC8 1190 R-why wouldn't KTM do this?
Venom 1190-RC8 1190 Venom-990 Venom concept confirmed as an option for one of the first additions to the RC8 range. Currently a "no-go".
Adventure Dakar 1190-1190 Adventure Dakar
Adventure Travel 1190-1190 Adventure Travel
Superduke 990 R-990 R Superduke with new engine
Superbike RC4-RC4 690 Supermono.
We have added a 1150/1190 SM to the future equation.
CG's by Luc1
Scoop: 2009 KTM RC4 690 Supermono
Have we been able to unravel a thing or two about what KTM is up to the next two years or what? On a highly confidential list of the model programme suggestion for 2008 and 2009 we found amongst other models the RC4 superbike. With the RC8 1190 being a V-twin with 8 valves, we think that the RC4 is a 1-cylinder Supermono with 4 valves. Hence the RC4 690 Supermono. Our design are based on the RC8 design, but with the LC4 single cylinder 690 engine. It will be a pumped up R version of possibly more than the 654cc's in the 690. perhaps more true to the 690 name? Expect the low rpm grunt to go to make place for a serious top-end rush! Anyway, this in KTM disguise will be a beautiful bike. No one knows 1-cylinder four strokes as well as KTM and they must build this bike! For the love of God, build it! Words: Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1 More KTM here, everything in fact (soon).
Supermono, 2008 KTM 690 Supermono and Cagiva Mito 500
We have briefly mentioned the KTM 690 previously in what could turn out to be a brand new supermono. We think it will get a full fairing in the style of the RC8 and it will be big news from Mattighofen if they chose to launch such a sportsbike based on the 690 single-cylinder from 690 SM. Last year Cagiva showed us the Mito 500 concept. Visually it just looks like the current Mito 125, but within was a 500cc single-cylinder engine developed by Husqvarna. The latest we hear is that the Mito 125 will get a new engine and fairing styled like Ducatis 999! That means that Cagiva must have done a deal with Ducati to be able to do that as the old 916 design was a Tamburini design whilst Cagiva owned Ducati, the 999 is a Terblanche design for the "new" Ducati. Cagiva will also launch an all new mid-sized (600-800cc) Hypermoto styled bike featuring a new V-twin engine. Much more on this and in particular 2008 MV Agusta new models very soon. MV Agusta got a lot of cash we have been told after selling Husqvarna to BMW. By Tor Sagen/CG: Luc1/Photo: Tor Sagen More in the links below.
RC8: KTM's head executive has now forbidden any leakages of further RC8 information. The RC8 1190 superbike will be launched for the first time in Milan on press day. We'll be there to cover it. KTM will first concentrate all efforts on the RC8 1190 superbike and the racing activities planned for this. Then KTM will start looking at other platforms such as the Venom concept. Today there is a "no go" for the naked Venom, but sometime next year KTM will probably start developing concepts such as the Venom further, perhaps into a full production model by 2009. KTM launched pictures of the white Venom 990 concept years ago before the 1190cc V-twin displacement was decided. Back then KTM still contemplated using a V4, but decided in the end for a 1150CC V-twin and then 1190. We have upgraded the concept for KTM and added street features such as mirrors, blinkers and pillion seat. And we were also a bit fed up with the boring white colour. By Tor Sagen/Venom CG's: Luc1 Want to see how the Venom RC8 1190 looks like in Black? Click here!
2008 KTM LC4 690 Enduro, Rally, Duke III, Adventure and Supermono
In Paris KTM will concentrate on the LC4 single-cylinder models, involving the 690 Enduro and 690 Duke III. All developed from the first LC4 690 product, the 690 SM. Earlier this year KTM has been in action all over the world in enduros and in desert rallies on 690 versions of its Enduro and rally bikes. The 690 Baja and 690 Rally. In Milan last year KTM showed us its 690 Rally Replica for more serious rally privateers. A 690 Adventure model is now expected as well as a LC4 690 street offroad model.
I was told there will be both expected models (690 Enduro, 690 Adventure, 690 Duke...) but also one or two unexpected versions of the 690 platform... We shall have to wait and see, but we hope that one of them will be a 690 Supermono. There has been a lot of talk about such a model and KTM having the most powerful single-cylinder four stroke engine plus the fact KTM are heavily into road bikes these days could make for such an exciting model soon.
The 2008 690 Enduro will succeed the LC4 Hard Enduro. The LC4 690 Enduro is said to feature a very light steel-trellis frame and an innovative self supporting fuel tank at the rear. KTM claims (without offering the dry-weight figure) that the overall package is extremely light. KTM also states in its press release that much thought has gone into a sporty, but still ergonomically correct seat. The 690 Enduro will feature high spec WP suspension, fuel injection and will be shown in public for the first time at this Autumns Paris motorcycle show. TS ?Photography: Freeman, Peuker, Mitterbauer and KTM/CG: Robert O' Brien
Our KTM factory insider have confirmed that the Duke II replacement is due to be launched as a 2008 model. Development is ongoing and it is expected that the exhaust routing will be completely different to the 690 SM. This is a major point in how much power the 653.7cc engine can develop. It will be difficult, but we expect KTM to squeeze out another bhp or two for the new Duke III 690. As with previous Duke models the 2008 690 version will feature a small fly screen and lower seat height than the SM. Expected dry weight is 155kg and coupled with a very powerful single cylinder engine (in excess of 60bhp...) it should make for one of the most exciting single cylinder four stroke offerings on the market. Reportedly this bike can do more than 120mph which is very fast for a single cylinder motorcycle. The bike will be shown to the public at one of this autumns major motorcycle shows. By Tor Sagen/CG: Robert O'Brien
2008 World Superbike dreams 3-KTM RC8 1150
KTM on the other hand is riding into the unknown with its RC8 1150 prototypes. Currently KTM only operates two prototypes for various testing. We were told earlier this year that KTM would build the world’s most powerful V-twin engine. With the new Ducati 1098 in mind this could prove to be just hype, but the Austrians seem to know what they are doing. We don’t know that much about the specifics about the engine yet, but it is destined for World Superbike racing in the end.
KTM will most likely not race the RC8 in World Superbike 2008, but rather 2009. In 2008 KTM plans to race the bike wherever it will be allowed on national level. Current regulations will not allow the 1150 V-twin to be raced either in AMA or BSB which are the two most competitive national series in the world with world class machines and riders. So what is likely to happen is that the RC8 will be further developed in the national Superstock series in Italy and Germany in 2008.
From the summer of 2007 KTM will escalate its development process from the two prototypes to a full range of nearly production ready machines. And in the Autumn KTM will launch the bike to the press first at the EICMA show in Milan and then the dynamic ride launch immediately after. So the KTM RC8 1150 is one dream bike that can be purchased for the 2008 season. Our insiders both at KTM and Ducati confirmed exclusively to us that they are in good contact regarding the World Superbike regulations. Both KTM and Ducati have it in their interest to be allowed to race the new machines that will top both firms production range. Words: Tor Sagen/Photo: KTM
2008 KTM X-Bow, it's a car!
We heard about this car coming from KTM a little while ago. Now these are the images. It's orange and it's sporty so it must be a KTM! Well, it's not all KTM actually. The engine is a VW 2Litre from the Golf GTI and the transmission is also from VW. The engine produces 220hp, but can be upgraded to a 300hp version (same as in Audi S3). The carbon fibre monocoque frame has been developed by Italian race firm Dallara. Even though this chassis is very strong, it needs some modification to satisfy AFI regulation for racing. This have already been taken care of by mounting points for the reinforcements being ready. Dallara also provided the aerodynamic testing facilities. KTM will produce 100 units first depending on feedback from the forthcoming Geneva show. Then a 500 unit production run if demand is there. The UK is perhaps the most important market for such a car, so more than 10% of the initial production will be made with right hand drive. The suspension comes from WP and the brakes from Brembo. The price will be Euro 40.000 inclusive of VAT. Since we are motorcyclists here at Raptors & Rockets and not car drivers we obviously wanted to know what part Polaris played in this project. Polaris owns a good chunk of KTM, but the project is still very much a KTM project. All design and development was done in-house. KTM will buy back a big part of the shares owned by Polaris by next summer. The co-operation will still continue, but at a smaller scale and at a slower pace than before. Last year KTM played with a sports ATV with Polaris technology so it's not exactly the first time we see something on four wheels from KTM, but nearly. Tor Sagen Feedback on the KTM car.
